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8 Tips To Balance Your Life As A Young Entrepreneur

I don’t know about you, but I feel like the idea of “work-life balance” is getting old, but unfortunately, it’s not going away. Young entrepreneurs have to embrace the potential benefits of this balance. Benefits of balance can include avoiding burnout, maintaining a happy attitude, and an overall better quality of life. In the long run, it’s best for you (the boss) as well as your growing business.

Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you found your calling years ago, remind yourself that you can and should take breaks to recharge occasionally. Don’t smother yourself with work! Learn how to balance your life with these 8 tips.

1- SET BUSINESS HOURS

Individuals working a nine-to-five job have set work hours. It makes sense to set business hours for yourself–as well as your growing business–to allow yourself time to relax. Work shouldn’t be your entire life; it should be part of your life.

Try setting up hours that work for you and your business. Take into account similar businesses (and their hours) as well as the times of day you are most productive.

For example, if you write blog content remotely and get in contact with clients primarily via email, you can work at any time of day. However, if your typical client’s business hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, chances are you should work sometime during that time-frame to avoid delays in communication; you seem more professional that way.

2- STICK TO ROUTINES

Develop a daily routine that helps you get in the groove before jumping into your budding business each day. Personally, I do my best work in the morning. If I work at home, I start with a simple breakfast and coffee, which I freshen up when I sit down to check my email; I believe accomplishing something small first really gets you moving.

On the other hand, you might need a helpful routine to transition from business to family life. Try talking about your day, listening to some calming music, or even practicing deep breathing can help you relax. I personally enjoy winding down after working by journaling or watching TV with my fiancé.

3- MAKE A TO-DO LIST

Keep track of what you need to do each day–work and otherwise–and mark each somehow when you’re finished.

PRO TIP: Cross tasks off with a highlighter, and it will be easier to see what you still need to work on.

A planner or bullet journal are helpful for this habit. Each option has its pros and cons, but if you’re working on a tight budget, a bullet journal might be the way to go. All you need to start is a notebook or a pack of graph paper from the dollar store.

4- SET GOALS

Setting quarterly goals is my favorite way to assess your work-life balance. This makes you sit down four times a year and be totally honest about how your life is going and what you want to accomplish in the upcoming quarter.

I encourage a mix of goals. Some should be work-related while others are personal. Some should be easy while others challenge you. Personally, I aim to complete 75% of my goals; this allows me some wiggle room, and it reminds me of the fact that life happens. Visit my 3rd Quarter Goals for 2017 for more information about my goal-setting process, and try this positive habit in your life.

5- TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Burnout. It’s a horrible feeling. It makes you sluggish and uninspired. Motivation is zero. But it is avoidable if we take care of ourselves physically.

Physical health doesn’t always mean protein shakes and hardcore daily workouts at the gym. You can switch it up to work for your activity level and endurance, and believe it or not, you might not need to go as often as you think. Even a half an hour three times a week can help your strength, endurance, and state of mind.

For those times you’re stuck at a desk, try stretching at least once an hour. I use my five-minute or ten-minute breaks to stretch, pace, and heat up my coffee. This leaves time for a few yoga poses, too, if space allows. Get your blood pumping before you get back to work!

6- TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND AND EMOTIONS

Emotional health isn’t something to ignore, either. What causes you stress? Why? How do you fix it?

These are questions I constantly ask myself if I’m stressed or upset. I like to think of cause and effect as a way to find a solution to a problem.

Example: In college, I procrastinated on a paper. As a result, I didn’t earn the grade I was hoping for. The solution was simple: I needed to plan ahead to get my assignments done on time and be satisfied with them.

I should note this is a simple problem that is easy to overcome. Sometimes taking care of yourself emotionally isn’t this easy. Make sure you have a good support system of friends and family, and if you need additional help, reach out to someone; there is no shame in asking for help. It can ensure that you’re at the top of your game!

7- SET ASIDE TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS

Make sure you schedule special time with friends, family, or a significant other at least once a week. We might hear this all the time, but it needs to be heard: we’re only young once; we have our whole lives to work, and we should enjoy some quality time with those we care about. A game night, movie night, or brunch are all good choices to spend time with loved ones.

PRO TIP: Keep things casual to avoid extra planning. This frees up time and relieves the pressure that comes with planning some “big event.”

8- ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS

Last but not least, enjoy the little things. If you’re able to enjoy dinner in front of the TV with a significant other, that’s a win in my book! Maybe a phone call with a friend or parent is in order. Maybe you just want to geek out with your sibling about their favorite movie. Be present and hear what people have to say.

Balancing your life is easier than you think, but it takes time. Be patient with yourself; not everything will happen at once. The important thing is to keep moving forward and conquer obstacles you encounter along the way–just like in business. Soon you’ll realize you’re less stressed and you improved the quality of your life. The work will be worth it, entrepreneurs!

What did we miss? How do you balance your work and personal life? Let us know in the comments!

Jess R. Greene knows the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. She is the mind behind the freelance writing website, Red Pen Scribe. Writing blog articles and web copy is her specialty, and she loves to work with entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Despite this, Jess got her start in creative writing and earned her BFA from Full Sail University. One of her short stories, “Beyond Expectations,” is published online. Jess is also an up-and-coming novelist who believes you shouldn’t forget where you came from.

2 thoughts on “8 Tips To Balance Your Life As A Young Entrepreneur”

This sounds crazy, but after a few months of freelancing, I still struggle with creating steady work hours. Because my blog is based on travel and lifestyle, there are so many things that I need to see and do in order to write!

Hi, Mia. Thanks for the reply. I believe it’s natural to have that problem in the beginning–especially as a travel and lifestyle blogger. I’d recommend trying three or four routines for at *least* three weeks each. Pick the one that works best for you. Remember to leave time in your schedule for travel! 😉

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